Search results
- Dictionaryplainly/ˈpleɪnli/
adverb
- 1. able to be perceived easily: "a light was plainly visible"
- 2. in a style that is not elaborate or luxurious; simply: "he lived plainly and worked hard"
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
PLAINLY definition: 1. clearly or obviously: 2. simply and without a lot of decoration: 3. clearly or obviously: . Learn more.
Synonyms for PLAINLY: openly, sincerely, plain, straightforwardly, honestly, simply, straightforward, abruptly; Antonyms of PLAINLY: politely, tactfully, wordily, courteously, verbosely, diplomatically, civilly, falsely
plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression. Adjective It was a plain room with no curtains. She was wearing plain black shoes. He printed the picture on plain paper. These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage.
You use plainly to indicate that something is easily seen, noticed, or recognized. He was plainly annoyed. I could plainly see him turning his head to the right and left.
Plainly (= obviously) something was wrong. using simple words to say something in a direct and honest way. He told her plainly that he thought she was making a big mistake. To put it plainly, he's a crook. in a simple way, without decoration. She was plainly dressed and wore no make-up.
PLAINLY meaning: 1. clearly or obviously: 2. simply and without a lot of decoration: 3. clearly or obviously: . Learn more.
Define plainly. plainly synonyms, plainly pronunciation, plainly translation, English dictionary definition of plainly. adj. plain·er , plain·est 1. Free from obstructions; open; clear: in plain view. 2. Obvious to the perception or mind; evident: make one's intention plain....
To do something plainly means to do it either in a very simple way or in an obvious way. You might dress plainly when you're just hanging around the house, but your flair for fashion will be plainly visible when you get dressed up for a party.
You use plainly to indicate that you believe something is obviously true, often when you are trying to convince someone else that it is true.
There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the adverb plainly, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. How common is the adverb plainly? How is the adverb pronounced? Where does the adverb come from?